SF 609: Authorizing the abatement of property taxes owed on property owned by the surviving spouse of an emergency services member killed in the line of duty, and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions

What it does

This bill authorizes the abatement of property taxes and special assessments owed on property owned by the surviving spouse of an emergency services member killed in the line of duty.1.14(2). Under the bill, the spouse of an emergency services member (petitioner) who died in the line of duty may file a petition with the board of supervisors of the county where the petitioner’s homestead is located, requesting abatement of property taxes and special assessments assessed on the petitioner’s homestead by a taxing authority.

Senate subcommittee · named January 12, 2026

• Sen. Adrian Dickey (R) · adrian.dickey@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Jeff Taylor (R) · jeff.taylor@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Thomas Townsend (D) · thomas.townsend@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 7 for, 0 against

For: AFSCME Council 61; Iowa Emergency Medical Services Association; Iowa Fire Chiefs Association; Iowa Firefighters Association (IFA); Iowa Professional Fire Fighters; Iowa State Police Association; State Police Officers Council

In plain words

1. March 19, 2025Filed in the Senate
2. March 19, 2025Approved by the Senate committee
3. June 16, 2025Sent to the Senate Ways and Means committee
4. January 12, 2026Senate subcommittee named: Dickey, Taylor and Townsend
5. January 20, 2026Subcommittee recommended passing it with changes